Best Methods for Cleaning Your Home

Once again, it’s that time of year! Spring has arrived in the Midwest. There is more time to enjoy the sun and relax in warmer weather and pleasant nights now that the days are longer. It’s time to let some fresh air in by opening the windows. However, this also means it’s time to shake the dust out of the house from the long cold winter. It’s time for spring cleaning!

It is essential to maintain your house in order to live a healthier lifestyle. For comfort and the lifespan of your windows and doors, it is necessary to remove any remaining winter grime. Make a weekend out of it to do some serious cleaning. We’ve highlighted several easy spring cleaning methods for your windows and doors to make the job easier.

Young woman vacuuming the livingroom

Trust the Experts

Before cleaning, check for leaks and drafts in your doors and windows, and get the right cleaning tools. Look for any signs of water entry, such as paint cracking or peeling. Water may degrade construction materials, so seal any exposed places between the frame and the wall. If you see any signs of damage, don’t wait. Call the team at Rosati Windows for professional window and door repairs, installations, and replacements in Columbus, OH.

Interior Window Cleaning Tips

Keep the view from inside as clear as possible with only a few simple measures that show you care for your window glass:

  • To remove surface grime or residue, wash your windows with clean, cold water combined with a few drops of dish soap. After that, use a commercial cleaning product (such as Windex) or a white vinegar and water solution.
  • Using a clean, lint-free towel, microfiber cloth, or paper towels, dry the windows. To lessen the possibility of streaks staying, use horizontal hand motions in the same direction.
  • Repeat this procedure until a streak-free, dirt-free shine is achieved, then enjoy your bright new view of the outdoors! You may not realize how dirty your windows have gotten until after you start cleaning them!

Exterior Window Cleaning

For optimal curb appeal, make sure your home’s windows are clean. This is how:

  • Prep your windows for cleaning by hosing them down, then scrubbing them with a combination of dish soap and cold water. Spray each pane with a one-part white vinegar, two-part clean water solution.
  • Allow the vinegar and water solution to soak for easy cleanup of tougher external stains including dirt, tree debris, and bird droppings.
  • To remove your cleaning solution, use a squeegee or a clean towel or paper towels to wipe down each window.
  • Remove and wash external screens with your vinegar and water solution before cleaning and drying them.

Cleaning Window Frames, Curtains, & Blinds

During your spring cleaning, don’t forget to pay attention to your window trim and treatments!

  • Clean your windows and window frames first. This will keep dust from settling around your window as you clean them.
  • Warm soapy water should be used to clean your window frames (vinyl, fiberglass, metal, or wood). Make sure they’re completely dry afterward, especially if they’re made of wood or metal. Pay close attention to contact locations such as the sash’s bottom and the latch. These places are notoriously dirty.
  • Clean the sills by sucking up any dust, debris, or crumbs using your vacuum’s hose attachment.
  • If your curtains are dusty, clean them using your vacuum’s long reach attachment, working your way down from the top. You may be able to steam clean them or even wash them on the gentle cycle depending on the fabric. Check the cleaning tag on your curtains for instructions on machine washing and drying.
  • Blinds collect dust and must be cleaned on a regular basis. You may clean your blinds using an old sock and a 50/50 vinegar/water solution. Simply place your hand in the sock, sprinkle the cleaning solution on it, then rub your fingers over the blind’s slats. This gets rid of dust, filth, and grime all at once.

Interior Door Cleaning Tips

Your home’s interior doors get touched more than you think. With repetitive touching and shutting, the interior of doors can accumulate dirt and grime. Here’s how you can clean and refresh them:

  • To avoid spreading dust or loose dirt while you clean, start by removing it. Remove any cobwebs from the top of your door or door frame with your vacuum’s long reach attachment.
  • Water and mild dish soap are enough for most doors. Clean them with a microfiber cloth and then dry them with another clean, dry cloth. Remember to clean the door’s edges as well as the door frame! Avoid using glass cleaner or acid-based cleansers like vinegar on wooden doors. The paint or stain on your door may be damaged or removed as a result of this. Instead, use a mild dish soap solution or an approved wood cleaner spray.
  • If your doors have scuff marks or are particularly dirty at the touch areas, you may remove them with melamine foam (the same substance used in Magic Erasers).
  • A thorough disinfection is required during any cleaning. To disinfect your doorknobs, use an all-purpose cleaner or a diluted bleach solution. This helps prevent the spreading of bacteria in your home as many people touch doorknobs multiple times throughout the day.

Keep Your Exterior Doors Looking Great

Your front door is often one of the first things people notice about your home. Make sure you’re always making the right first impression. Make your entry and patio doors even more inviting by following these cleaning tips:

  • Remove any dust and loose dirt first. As you clean, this will keep it from spreading all over your door.
  • After cleaning the door with water and mild dish soap, dry it with paper towels. Because outside doors can get quite dirty, we recommend using paper towels to avoid transmitting bacteria from your door to other surfaces or ruining cleaning cloths or towels.
  • To protect the glass on your storm door, sliding glass doors, or French doors, follow our window cleaning guidelines above on the glass section alone.
  • To disinfect your doorknob and knocker, use an all-purpose cleaner or a diluted bleach solution.
  • Remember to bring your doormat! Using a hose, clean your outside doormat and dry it in the sun.

Contact Rosati Windows for Everything Else

Spring cleaning is a great and cathartic way to refresh your home and invite in the summer. Is it time to replace your dated windows and doors? Contact the team at Rosati Windows! We have decades of experience service Columbus, H with our professional window and door installations, repairs, replacements, and maintenance. We create custom designs for all types of windows and homes. Let’s get started today!